Oliver Riley - Children Private Law

Oliver has considerable experience of acting in private law children disputes. He regularly represents parties at all stages of the process, including within complex fact finding hearings with issues such as parental alienation and where there are concerns that the children subject to the proceedings have been exposed to significant harm.

Oliver has particular experience in cases involving the relocation of children, both within and outside the jurisdiction, and in cases involving the risk of abduction. Oliver represented the successful applicant at the first known private arbitration of a litigated Children Act 1989 dispute to take place in the South West of England, in a dispute over the proposed relocation to Canada.

Due to his expertise in financial matters, he is frequently instructed in relation to private children matters where disputes are ongoing between the parties to a separation as to finances are ongoing, and in applications for financial provision brought under Schedule 1 of the Children Act 1989.

Recent work includes:

• Obtained permission for four children to relocate to Canada, at a 2-day arbitration.
• Two-day final hearing to determine arrangements for the child.
• Appeal against the decision to refuse M permission to relocate with the children within the jurisdiction.
• Obtained permission for a half-sibling to apply for a child arrangements order.
• Successful opposition to an application by M to relocate with the children within the jurisdiction.
• 2-day fact-finding hearing involving allegations of serious violence by one party to the other